Most people, at some point in their lives, will experience a nosebleed. Whether your nosebleed is caused by an injury or happens spontaneously, it’s important for patients to know that this medical phenomenon is usually nothing to worry about. Still, it is possible for people to experience occasional nosebleeds. In these instances, we encourage patients to pay attention to their surroundings and current state of health, as these factors can determine the cause of your frequent nosebleeds. But first, let’s talk about what you should do if you ever experience a nosebleed.
Tips to Manage Nosebleeds:
- As soon as you develop a nosebleed, make sure you’re sitting upright to discourage further bleeding. Sitting forward will also help you avoid swallowing blood. Sitting upright and leaning forward will help reduce the pressure in your nose, stopping the nosebleed within minutes.
- Clear out any clotted blood by softy blowing your nose. Once clots in your nose have been cleared, spray a nasal decongestant in your nose to prevent further blot clots.
- When you sustain a laceration, what’s the first thing you should do? Put pressure on the wound! The same goes for nosebleeds. Pinch your nose for several minutes (between 5 and 10 minutes) to stop the bleeding.
- Once the bleeding has stopped, avoid picking or blowing your nose and bending forward for a few hours to ensure the bleeding doesn’t continue.
What’s Causing Your Frequent Nosebleeds?
As we mentioned previously, our specialists at AOC Physicians suggest taking note of your surroundings to figure out what lifestyle or environmental factors may be causing your frequent nosebleeds.
First, think about the climate you live in – it is dry? Humid? Cold? Warm? It goes without saying, but typically patients who live in hot dry climates or cold, windy climates will experience frequent nosebleeds more than patients who live in humid weather.
If this is the case, you’ll want to keep the lining of your nose nice and moist. You can do this by applying a thin layer or petroleum jelly or Neosporin inside the nose two to three times a day. Our physicians may also prescribe or suggest a saline nasal spray to keep the nasal membranes nice and moist.
In addition to applying a moisturizing ointment in your nose, it may be worthwhile to invest in a humidifier for your apartment or home. These devices help add moisture to the air, which will limit the effects of dry air on your nose. If you live in a larger home, it may be unrealistic to have a humidifier in every room. Therefore, the best place to put it may be your bedroom, as that’s where you spend most of your time outside of work.
Frequent Nosebleeds – When To See A Doctor
If you’re beginning to experience several nosebleeds a month, it may be worth scheduling an appointment with your AOC physician. In some cases, frequent nosebleeds can be one symptom that indicates a serious health problem. For example, if you’re experiencing nosebleeds and bruising, fatigue, and more, you may be suffering from leukemia.
Frequent nosebleeds can also be a sign of a blood clotting disorder or a nasal tumor. These ailments may seem pretty extreme, but early intervention can reduce their damaging effects, so it’s imperative patients seek immediate medical attention if they begin to notice nosebleeds that occur more than three or four times a month or several months.
Arizona Otolaryngology Consultants (AOC) is a comprehensive ENT clinic that provides care for all diseases of the ears, nose, throat, and sinuses. The physicians at AOC have the highest level of training and expertise in ENT care and ENT subspecialty care, which includes the management of pediatric airway, cancer, skull base surgery, advanced head and neck surgical and reconstructive procedures, craniofacial surgery and more. Call 602-264-4834 to request an appointment today!
The advice and information contained in this article are for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.